Frings suffers fractured ribs, doubtful for Portugal

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings is rated as highly doubtful for Thursday's Euro 2008 quarter-final clash against Portugal in Basel after discovering he fractured ribs against Austria.

Frings picked up the injury during the second-half of Germany's 1-0 defeat of Austria in Vienna on Monday and a decision on whether he plays will be made just before kick-off Thursday.

Frings complained of pain on Tuesday afternoon and was taken for an x-ray in Lugano, near Germany's 2008 base here, which confirmed he has fractured ribs.

The 75-times capped defensive midfielder plays a crucial holding role for Germany and head coach Joachim Loew says every effort is being made to get him ready to face Portugal.

“Since Torsten is such an important player for our team, our medical staff will exhaust all possibilities to get him fit for the Portugal game,” said Loew on the German Football Federation (DFB) website.

“He will be treated intensively in the coming hours.

“The decision about whether he plays against Portugal will only come on Thursday.”